Scientists have found a hidden galaxy inside the Milky Way, and they’re calling it Loki

Astronomers say they have identified Loki, a long-hidden dwarf galaxy whose stars are still mixed into the Milky Way.

A new study traced 20 metal-poor stars in the Milky Way’s disk through their chemistry and orbits, linking them to an ancient galaxy merger.

The team says those stars likely came from Loki, a dwarf galaxy absorbed billions of years ago.

The discovery strengthens the case that the Milky Way grew by swallowing smaller galaxies and reveals more about its early history.